The Vatican has recalled its ambassador to Ireland after the publication of a devastating report criticising the church's handling of clerical sex abuse in county Cork.

Vatican Radio said the papal nuncio, Giuseppe Leanza, was being called back to Rome for consultations over the Cloyne report, which accused the church authorities, right up to the Vatican itself, of frustrating attempts by Irish police to investigate numerous complaints against priests relating to child sexual abuse.

The Irish prime minister, Enda Kenny, launched a blistering attack last week on the Vatican for what he said was an attempt to frustrate the Cloyne inquiry. He accused the Vatican of downplaying the rape of children in order to protect its power and reputation.